Birding in Bhutan can make you happy.

High in the mysterious and majestic eastern Himalayas, nestled bewteen Tibetan autonomous region of China and India, lies the small Kingdom of bhutan, increasingly renowned as one of the Earth's last precious unspoiled spots. In this magical place, an intact Buddhist culture is integrated into every aspect of daily life , and spectacular mountain scenery provides a backdrop to pristine forests and picturesque valleys. The breathtaking landscape is dotted with fluttering prayer flags, colourful farmhouses amidst terraced fields, and impressive monasteries clinging to impossible cliffs.

Over 70 percent of the country is forested, and unlike other Himalayan countries, most of bhutan's original forest remains intact. The enormity and magnificence of Bhutan's forest is a reminder of what Asia and in particular the himalayas once were. The Buddhist philosophy of respect for living things, and a progressive government approach to development in which the preservation of the envirnoment and the promotion of Bhutan's unique culture and traditions are key elements, have maintained a healthy environment where wildlife flourishes.

Birds killing in Bhutan is very sinful

In Drukyul Bhutan,killing birds and animals are very sinful  because in Bhutan all our peoples are so kind and religious minded they even not kill single small insects.Shooting and killing the birds are so strict prohibitat . When they see insects or small birds laying sick on the road side they give cares and loves, they even take to medical treatments and released back to their places.As you all know that our country,  all places are secret places of  Guru Rinpoche ( Precious Teacher) blessed by him.

We all peoples of Bhutan and our beloved king loves each other and  tried to released the life of birds and freed to near the monasteries and forest. We have a lots of protected areas different types wild life sanctuary. The conservation measures undertaken in Bhutan to preserve and conserve the cranes are unique; in fact more and more crane habitat areas are being brought under the protected area concept. The Royal society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) estabilished in 2003, which has the mandate for conservation and nature education has been involved in morning the winter vistors to the Phobjikha valley and its adjoining Bomdeling Valley.

Birds are seen in Punakha, Bhutan

Leaving Thimphu, you will cross the dochula pass at about 3050 meters and within the short time you will arrive at the Punakha valley which is drained by the Punatsangchu river. The cool broad leaved forest below the Dochula pass is home to one of the most sought after birds of Bhutan; the rare and globally threatened Ward's Trogon. Other species in this region includes the Cutia, Collared Grosbeaks, Darjeeling Woodpeckers and several colourful sunbirds, which especially abundant during the spring when the mountainside is covered in blooming rhododendrons and magnolias of varying shades.

Further down the valley we can spot the Tawny Fish Owl, Sliver-eared Mesia, barbets and oyher sub-tropical species. Perhaps the most famous bird in the valley is the extremely rare White-bellied Heron. This heron is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world and the global population is estimated at less than 200 individuals.

Bhutan is paradise for bird lovers

Bhutan is home for birdwatchers and ornithologists. Despite its small size about 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and it is recognized as 221 global endemic birds areas. The country ranking the top ten percent in terms of species richness per unit area in the world and it has the largest proportion of land under protected areas, with about 26.23% of the country's national parks.

Spring is the best time of the year to view flowering plants and after nestling out freely from the cold winter months.In spring, if you trip you can expect 400 species and during other times about 300 species will be seen. Even more, perhaps, than other countries, fabulous Bhutan fires the enthusiasm of all who have visited it, leaving them with a sense of privilege and a longing to return.

Black- Necked Crane in Bhutan

The Black- necked cranes in Bhutan mostly seen in winter during late October to mid February to the Phobjikha valley from the Tibetan plateau where they breed. The Biological name of the Black- Necked Crane is called Grus Nigricollis. In Bhutan, the black- necked Crane is also known as Thrung Thrung Karmo and also heavenly bird(Lhab-bja). The Lhab- Bja apprears in many Bhutanese folk lore, songs dances and historical references. 

It has an average height of 1.5 meters, weighs about 5.35kg and live span upto 70 to 80 years. In Bhutan, the black-necked Cranes have an annual festival held every year on 12 November, soon after their arrival from the Tibetan Plateau, in the Gangten Gonpa in Phobjikha Valley. Many tourists also visits the valley to witness this festival. The Black- necked Crane winter migration to Bhutan. The places they migrated to Bhutan are Phobjikha,Khotokha, Gyetsa, Thangbi and Bomdling.

National Bird of Bhutan

National Bird of Bhutan is called Raven. The Raven represents the deity Gonpa Jarodong chen (raven headed Mahakala), one of the chief guardian deties of Bhutan. Our Druk Gyalpo Royal Crown is wearing the Royal Raven Crown represents Bhutan's reverence for these birds and the faith of Bhutanese in their protective deity. One can still see the ravens in monasteries and Dzongs throughout Bhutan.

The biological name of Raven is Corvus Corax Tibetanus. The Raven in Bhutan's history is the guardian Deity Mahakala, who is believed to have taken the form of a raven to guide the country's unifier, the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, to Bhutan and is one of the most important guardian deties of Bhutan. It is the largest bird of the crow family. These birds are considered as most intelligent birds, due to having high learning ability and use of logic for solving real life problems. Ravens are known to steal the food of many birds and mammals, even from dogs.They can act in pairs: one individual captures dog's attention, while the other steals its food.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Bird watching in some parts in Bhutan

Bird Watching in Paro Dzongkhag(district)

If you were flying into Bhutan the  valley of Paro at an elevation of about 2300 m, will be your first place. The vegetation in the valley is mainly blue pine and immediately leaving the airport you can see the enigmatic Ibisbill, one of the most sought after himalayan shorebirds, feeding along the Pachhu(river). During the winter and spring, you can also see several other water birds such as Gadwalls, Mergansers, Shelducks and Great Cormorants. The flooded rice fields in the summer provide an ideal breeding habitat for the elusive black- tailed and ruddy-breasted crackes that can be occasionally sighted darting across the roads.

The Cheli la pass at over 3000 m with sub-alpine vegetation is perhaps the best place to see the majestic Himalayan Monal and the charismatic blood pheasants. In the winter it is also home to one of the most beautiful of the redstarts; the white- throated redstart. The White- browed Rosefinch, Collared and White-winged Grosbeaks are also quite common in this area. Other specialties include the Altai and Robin Accentors and if you are lucky, the incomparable Satyr Tragopan can also be spotted.

Thimphu Dzongkhag(district)

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and as the vegetation is not much different from Paro; the bird life is also quite similar. In the days before urbanization, the wetland behind the swimming pool complex supported such rarities like the Wood Snipe but with the draining for the wetland for construction and human encroachment, many species may have either migrated to safer place or disappeared. The globally threatened Yellow-rumped Honeyguide can be frequently sighted on a rock cliff near the power house in Begana.The Cheri and Tango monasteries vegatation has mainly oak and bamboo here you can see Black-throated Parrotbills, Red- headed Bulfinch, Scarlet Finch, Snow Pigeon, etc. But perhaps the highlight of thisarea is the Fire-tailed Myzornis. The sewerage pond area is also great for many water birds such as the Ibisbill, Lapwings, Little-ringed Plovers, Shelducks, Teals, etc. Please visit our webpage.